Iceland is an island in the North Atlantic ocean, 103,000 km2 in size. The population is 285,000. The landscape is magnificent, with spectacular wilderness and the largest glaciers in Europe. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, extreme weather and snow avalanches are part of what Icelanders have to deal with. Unlike most countries, there is no army in Iceland, and the Icelandic Coast Guard is small, with only a few ships and helicopters.

Independent associations in Iceland have taken on a particularly extensive role in prevention and rescue work and benefit from great trust, due to their initiative and energetic performance/results. 220 rescue teams, accident prevention divisions and youth sections operate under the banner ICE-SAR. Their joint mission is to save human lives and valuables and to prevent accidents. Thousands of volunteers dedicate themselves to accident prevention and are always available, night and day, all year round.

The origins of ICE-SAR can be traced to 1918, when the first rescue team was established in the Westman Islands. At the association’s Historical and Relics Museum in Garður, the history of the Icelandic rescue and prevention service is recorded from the beginning of the last century. Tools and instruments used since that time can be seen there, and insight can be gleaned into the procedures used by rescue teams, along with their accomplishments, since the association started.

The first rescue ship, the first rescue helicopter, pioneers in traffic safety matters, the Ships Reporting Duty and the Maritime Safety and Survival Training Centre are only a few of the impressive accomplishments that ICE-SAR and its parent associations have achieved – for the benefit of all Icelanders.

The president of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, is the patron of ICE-SAR.